Chapter 11 - The lie I told the court visitor
A court-appointed visitor interviewed us during the guardianship extension.
She asked:
“Who provides most of Noah’s daily care?”
The truthful answer was:
Me.
Vivian paid.
Vivian signed.
Vivian arranged.
But I fed, bathed, soothed, woke, carried, and slept six rooms away.
I looked at Vivian.
She looked at me.
Then I said:
“Vivian and the household staff share care.”
Not entirely false.
Not remotely complete.
Why did I minimize myself?
Because Vivian had told me:
“If you make this look like a custody fight, the judge may separate you from the house while it’s reviewed.”
My lawyer said that threat was exaggerated.
I still believed it.
So I participated in the fiction.
Later, Vivian’s attorneys would use my own statement:
Elena previously acknowledged Vivian as primary guardian and shared household care.
I had given them the sentence.
I could not blame Vivian for every word that left my mouth.
May you like
Fear influenced me.
I still spoke it.
